I have ten more nucs ordered for spring. I will be splitting several of my hives, leaving half for honey. I'll pull brood from existing hives to strengthen nukes and splits, and give them empty frames to draw out to try to keep them from swarming...
I have half a dozen feral bee trees located and swarm traps built, so I am hoping for around 40 hives going into next winter...
Once I hit 40, I plan to try VSH Northern queens for 2015 in all my colonies that are commercial and compare them to the feral colonies as far as hardiness and mite resistance, then start splitting, and producing my own queens from the best of what I find. I hope to be (nearly) treatment free by 2016, and then expand from there using only the best of what I have.
The problem with beekeeping, is that its not measured, in days, weeks, or even months.... I have goals, but its going to take several years to get there.. at least the way I have it planned.. I could probably just buy packages.. but where is the challenge in that? :-D